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Central vacuum systems

In many work environments, such as workshops, laboratories or factories, it is necessary to remove dust, fumes, vapors and other harmful substances from the air to ensure the safety and health of workers. An effective and cost-effective option for the removal of these pollutants is the use of a centralized vacuum system.

A central vacuum system offers several advantages over localized vacuum solutions, such as portable vacuum cleaners. First, it provides more powerful and continuous suction due to the presence of a dedicated ducting system. It also reduces noise and clutter in the work area, improving ergonomics and worker productivity.

  • Cleaning large workplaces or large distances
  • Simultaneous suction at multiple points
  • Saving time spent cleaning machinery and working environments

Centralized Vacuum System: What It Is and How It Works

A centralized vacuum system consists of several main components:

  • Vacuum unit: represents the heart of the system, it draws the air from the working area and conveys it through the duct network.
  • Filtration and collection system: separates the dusty or solid material from the air using specialized filters, and directs it into a collection system (usually a container).
  • Ducting network: consists of pipes and fittings, designed to transport the air from the vacuum unit to the suction point.
Impianto centralizzato di aspirazione

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Depureco Engineering Service

Depureco offers a complete engineering service dedicated to centralized vacuum systems, designed to provide safe, efficient, and customized solutions for any production environment. The extensive experience gained in different industrial sectors makes it possible to turn customer requirements into reliable and high-performance systems. The process is structured into four main phases:

Thanks to this structured approach, Depureco ensures tailor-made centralized systems, capable of increasing productivity, reducing maintenance costs, and improving safety in the workplace.

Some of our systems

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Advantages of Centralized Vacuum Systems Compared to Mobile Solutions

Industrial centralized vacuum systems require a higher upfront investment than mobile vacuums, but over time they deliver tangible benefits in efficiency, safety, and reduced operating costs. Thanks to simplified maintenance and consistent performance, a centralized system helps optimize overall productivity while ensuring a safer, quieter workplace.

FeatureCentralized vacuumMobile vacuum
UsageDefined during the design phase, difficult to modifyFlexible, more easily adaptable
MobilityFixed, but with wide and integrated coverageHigh mobility, localized use
EfficiencyHigh and consistent, calculated at the design stageModerate and variable depending on use
MaintenanceCentralized and reducedRegular and individual for each vacuum
NoiseReduced (vacuum unit located in a remote area)Higher (unit close to the operator)
Price / cost–benefit ratioMedium–high investment, paid back in the long termMedium price, limited benefits

Design and Sizing Guide for a Centralized Vacuum System

The design of a centralized industrial vacuum system requires a careful analysis of technical parameters and production needs. Correct sizing ensures consistent performance, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance costs.

 

Power Calculation

The system’s power is determined by evaluating airflow rate, vacuum level, type of material to be collected, number of simultaneous operators, and total length of the piping network. A good practice is to size the system based on the farthest suction point: this guarantees adequate suction power without energy waste.

Calcolo Della Potenza Necessaria
 
Dimensionamento Delle Tubazioni

Ductwork Sizing

The diameter and layout of the ducting are designed according to the type and amount of material to be collected. It is essential to maintain an optimal airflow velocity to prevent clogging, reduce pressure drops, and ensure the best system performance.

 

Optimal Positioning of Components

Vacuum units, filtration, and collection systems should be installed strategically, often in a dedicated technical room or outside the production area, to improve accessibility for maintenance and reduce noise and clutter.

Proper placement also ensures shorter airflow paths, greater overall efficiency, and reduced visual and noise impactwithin the workplace.

Posizionamento Ottimale Dei Componenti
 
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What Materials Can Be Collected with a Centralized Vacuum System?

centralized industrial vacuum system has virtually no limits on the materials it can handle: fine dust, solids, chips, fumes, and even liquids. The essential condition is that the system be designed, built, and installed to measure, taking into account not only current production needs but also possible future scenarios and environmental conditions.

For example, a centralized vacuum system for wood dust must be ATEX certified, since wood chips and dust are flammable and potentially explosive.
In the case of systems for metallic dust, it is crucial to provide safe collection solutions or inertization technologies to prevent the risk of explosions when the dust accumulates inside the container.

This flexibility makes centralized systems the ideal solution for a wide range of industries—from woodworking and metalworking to food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and manufacturing—ensuring safety, efficiency, and continuous productivity.

 

ATEX-Certified Centralized Vacuum Systems

ATEX-certified centralized vacuum systems are designed to guarantee maximum safety in high explosion-risk environments, such as workplaces handling combustible dust, flammable substances, or explosive materials. ATEX certification confirms that every component of the system—from the vacuum unit to the filtration and ductwork—has been designed, built, and tested to prevent ignition sources and minimize the risk of explosions.

The ATEX directive is a European regulation that defines safety requirements for equipment and systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres. These environments are classified into ATEX Zones (Z20, Z21, Z22) based on the frequency and duration of dust or gas clouds: from constant presence (Z20) to occasional presence (Z22). A certified system ensures that each zone is managed with the highest level of protection.

Choosing an ATEX-certified centralized system means protecting both workers and production infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity even under critical conditions. Thanks to ATEX compliance, these systems are widely used in industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, food, woodworking, and metalworking, where safe handling of combustible dust is crucial to meet regulations and ensure workplace safety.

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Suction unit

The heart of the system, they are connected to a system of pipes and fittings that extends throughout the working environment and directs air and sucked-in materials to the central unit. This creates a constant flow of air and keeps the work environment clean and free of dust and unwanted materials.

ATEX suction unit

ATEX vacuum units are designed for use in areas where explosions may occur due to the presence of flammable gases or vapors and combustible dust. These devices are equipped with specific safety features to prevent explosions, such as grounding and ventilation.

They are used in many industries, such as the chemical industry, drug manufacturing, paint production, and metal processing, where the presence of flammable dusts and gases is high.

Filtration and collection units

Components used in industrial vacuum cleaners to separate dust particles and other contaminants drawn from the air. They consist of several filtration elements that capture airborne particles.

Filtration and collection units can be integrated within centralized vacuum units, depending on the needs of the working environment. They ensure air quality in working environments, particularly in industries such as metalworking, wood production, fiberglass materials processing, and construction materials manufacturing.

DV AIR Telescopic Pre-Separator Filter With Localized Discharge

dv_air_800_new-20220407-1012
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Collection system Localized discharge
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DV AIR 3D Z22 Telescopic Pre-Separator Filter With Localized Discharge

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Application Powders, solids and shavings
Collection system Localized discharge
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DV AIR WB Filtering Pre-Separator With Container

DV AIR WB.69
Application Powders, solids and shavings
Capacity 175 Lt
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DV AIR WB 3D Z22 Filtering pre-separator with container

DV AIR WB ATEX_WEB.1378
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Capacity 175 Lt
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Cyclonic Hopper Cyclonic Hopper with Localized Discharge

Tramoggia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Collection system Localized discharge
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Cyclonic Hopper 390 Hopper for unloading into a big-bag

Tramoggione
Application Powders, solids and shavings
Collection system Localized discharge
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SFC 450 Filter Separator With Container

Separatore filtrante con contenitore 450.44
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Capacity 65 Lt
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SFC 570 Filter Separator With Container

Separatore filtrante con contenitore 570.45 copia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Capacity 175 Lt
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SFC 800 Filter Separator With Container

Separatore filtrante con contenitore 800.46 copia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Capacity 175 Lt
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SFT 450 Hopper-type filter separator

Separatore filtrante a tramoggia 450.47 copia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Collection system Localized discharge
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SFT 570 Hopper-type filter separator

Separatore filtrante a tramoggia 570 copia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Collection system Localized discharge
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SFT 800 Hopper-type filter separator

Separatore filtrante a tramoggia 800 copia
Application Fine, dry and clogging powders
Collection system Localized discharge
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FAQ

What are the advantages of a centralized vacuum system?

What filter cleaning systems are available?

What is the service life of a centralized system?

Are centralized systems compatible with industrial automation?

How much space does a centralized system take up?

What is the required air velocity in the pipes?

How is the required power for a centralized system calculated?

How is operator safety ensured?

What regulations govern centralized systems?

What safety systems can be integrated?

When is an ATEX system mandatory?

What is ATEX certification?

In which industrial sectors are they used?

Can combustible dust be vacuumed?

Can centralized systems vacuum toxic dust?

What materials can be collected with a centralized system?

What mistakes should be avoided when designing a centralized system?

Where is it best to place the suction unit?

How much does the type of collected material affect the project?

How is the airflow calculated?

What determines the required power of a system?

Can the system be expanded over time?

What is the maximum coverage the piping can have?

How many workstations can operate simultaneously?

What is the difference between a centralized system and a mobile vacuum?

What are the advantages compared to mobile vacuums?

What is an industrial centralized vacuum system?

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